In a notable development, Russian Orthodox priests have arrived at the site of a massive fire at a fuel depot, which has been burning for three days due to a Ukrainian drone strike.
Over 500 firefighters have been engaged in efforts to control the sprawling blaze at the Proletarsk oil storage facility located in the Rostov region.
Local authorities reported that approximately 20 out of 74 storage tanks remain engulfed in flames.
This past Wednesday, local Orthodox priests conducted prayers beside the fire engines and brought an icon to support the firefighting efforts.
“The priests interacted with the firefighters and blessed all firefighting equipment,” stated the local Volgodonsk eparchy.
They also carried a large icon of the Unburnt Bush, regarded as a protective symbol against fire.
According to regional governor Vasily Golubev, the Ukrainian drone was intercepted on August 18, but debris from the strike ignited diesel fuel stored at the facility.
Although authorities have declared a state of emergency, local officials have reassured the public that there is no imminent threat of the fire spreading to residential areas and urged residents to remain calm.
Governor Golubev revealed that 41 firefighters required medical treatment due to the incident, with five needing emergency care.
While Ukraine has not commented on the attack, its military has been actively targeting Russian oil infrastructure amid ongoing hostilities that began in February 2022.
On the same day, Ukrainian forces claimed to have struck an S-300 air defense system near the Russian city of Novoshakhtinsk in the Rostov region.
The operation, conducted by the Ukrainian Navy in coordination with other military units, aims to diminish Russian air defense capabilities.
“Ukraine’s defense forces are persistently weakening the air defenses of the Russian invaders,” the general staff reported.
They also noted that Russian forces utilize S-300 systems to launch attacks on peaceful Ukrainian cities, causing destruction and fear among civilians.
Drones Targeting Moscow
In another significant incident, Russian authorities announced that their air defenses intercepted 11 Ukrainian drones aimed at Moscow.
City mayor Sergei Sobyanin described this as one of the largest assaults on the capital since the onset of the conflict, although no damages or casualties were reported.
Concurrently, Ukrainian defenses reported successfully thwarting 50 Russian drones and missiles during an extensive air raid lasting over nine hours.
A private residence sustained damage from falling debris, and power lines were disrupted, according to Kyiv’s military administration.
On the ground, Ukrainian forces continue to maintain control over a section of territory in Russia’s Kursk region following a cross-border incursion initiated on August 6.
This marks a historic moment as it is the first instance of foreign occupation on Russian territory since World War Two.
Meanwhile, Russian forces are intensifying their advance towards the city of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine.
